What Is Microblading?

There are a dizzying number of brow products and services at our disposal aimed to get us lush and thick brows. But one treatment took Instagram by storm: microblading, the process of tattooing tiny brow hairs with a needle. We spoke with celebrity makeup artist and brow specialist (a.k.a The Eyebrow Doctor) Piret Aava to learn everything we need to know about the semi-permanent solution.

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The Treatment

Microblading is a semi-permanent tattoo technique used to create the illusion of fuller brows. "With this method I can create almost any look: from a very natural light finish to a beautifully bold brow," says Aava. First, she consults with clients about the best brow shape for their face and chooses a color that matches the natural hair color and skin undertone. The brow area is then cleaned and numbed for the treatment. Instead of using a tattoo machine, she uses a little handheld tool to manually draw hair strokes. Lastly, she applies an ointment like the EyebrowDoctor Aftercare to help with the healing process.

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This all can take up to 30 to 40 minutes, depending on how full you want your brows to look. Clients are encouraged to schedule a follow up appointment four to six weeks after to make sure they are happy with the results or for if they need little tweaks. Results can last anywhere from one to three years, depending on your skin type (the ink fades faster on oily skin), products, and lifestyle. It's also not the same price as getting your brows waxed: Aava charges $1,500 for each treatment (which does include one touchup); prices can vary based on the technician's experience level and location.

Side Effects

When you go to a trusted and experienced brow artist, there shouldn't be any major side effects. Aava says infection is possible if you don't follow proper aftercare procedures.

A common misconception is that every microblading artist is the same. She warns that a lot of people only take a two-day course to get certified. " I personally make sure that I go to a few conventions and conferences every year to ensure I’m using the latest technology and techniques," she says. Before your appointment, read reviews, look at images of before and afters, and choose your artist wisely.

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Post-Care

The most important product you can use after a microblading treatment is sunscreen. Like with other tattoos, sunscreens helps extend the longevity of your brows and prevent against fading from the sun.

She also says to be off any Retin-A or retinol products about a week before an appointment and 30 days after getting your brows done, as those ingredients can cause pigments to fade prematurely. Don't wet the brows for a week or two while they heal and don't use any makeup on the area for at least a week. Once the skin is completely healed, she says it's okay to go back to a normal skin and makeup routine.

So those looking for a more permanent solution to improving the appearance of their brows and not afraid to use a needle to do, microblading is most certainly worth a shot.

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